Golden Damselfish (pale)

Amblyglyphidodon aureus is a species of marine fish in the family Pomacentridae, the damselfishes and clownfishes. It is native to the central Indo-Pacific.

Description

This fish reaches 13 centimetres (5.1 in) in length. It has two colour phases. One is overall bright yellow (sometimes paler below) with a bright blue ring around the eye, and bright blue spots and lines on the head and chest. The less common phase is pale greyish with yellow pelvic, anal and caudal fins. Some individuals have dark blotches on their sides.

Distribution

Western Pacific: Andaman Sea and Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Rowly Shoals (eastern Indian Ocean) and New Caledonia.

Habitat

The fish lives in outer reef habitat, deep lagoons, and areas where there is an ocean current. It lives among gorgonians, laying its eggs on them, and then the male guards and tends them until they hatch. The diet is made up of zooplankton. It is solitary or lives in small groups.